Hilo bike excursion through Volcano National Park -strenuous?

[qzzee]

Has anyone taken this excursion and is it really strenuous as indicated?. Is there a lot of uphill riding? My husband wants to do this excursion but I am a little hesitant. We both have biking experience but I am not a hill climber. Would be great if I could get some information from someone who has actually done this tour.

[Mrs f.]

My husband also wants to bike through the Park..I think that the tour company drives the group up and they bike down with the van following. I don't ride and one company allows non bikers to ride in the van. Have to find out which one. We are going on NCL end of March.

[cb at sea]

Unless you ride miles routinely, it's probably not what you want to do on vacation. Extended bike rides can cause pretty extreme "groin" pain....not what you want on vacation! If you are used to riding at LEAST a couple miles on fairly flat land, you probably will be ok...even if there are some hills.

 

There are probably some "non-bike" options...that might be better!

Edited December 2, 2016 by cb at sea

[Kartgv]

In addition to the 'saddle sore' aspect of the ride, it also pays to keep elevation and weather change in mind. When you enter the park from State Rt. 11, the elevation is over 4000 ft. The road winds all the way down to sea level. Even if you're only biking downhill, the weather change, both temperature and humidity, will be challenging. If DH is a very experienced biker and outdoorsman, it would be a great trip; if not, he could feel the aftereffects for days.

[trish1c]

My husband also wants to bike through the Park..I think that the tour company drives the group up and they bike down with the van following. I don't ride and one company allows non bikers to ride in the van. Have to find out which one. We are going on NCL end of March.

 

Mrs. f

 

I think we're sailing together.

 

My group will have some serious athletes who climb mountains, participate in iron man competitions (biking 100 miles) etc & it will have couch potatoes like me. If some could bike & others ride, that would be awesome. Please let me know what you find out.